The writing task: how to write an email that scores
In the writing part, most points are lost for the same reasons: a point of the instructions left out, the wrong length, tu and Lei mixed up. Here is how to avoid that, with a worked example.
Updated 12 November 2026
Many people who speak Italian every day at work are surprised by their writing score. Speaking forgives a lot: you can repeat, gesture, correct yourself. On paper, the examiner has only the text and a list of criteria. The good news is that the criteria are predictable.
What the tasks look like
At A2 you usually write short, practical texts: reply to two or three messages in a few words each, or write an email of about 35 to 50 words that covers the points listed in the instructions (say why you are writing, propose a day, ask something).
At B1 there is usually a short task first, such as answering questions about yourself, and then a longer text of around 80 to 120 words, often on one of two topics you can choose: tell an experience, describe a situation, give your opinion.
The exact word ranges and tasks depend on the exam, so always read the numbers in the instructions. They are part of the task.
What the examiner checks
- Did you do what you were asked? Every point in the instructions. A missing point costs more than a grammar mistake.
- Is the message clear? Could the person who receives it act on it?
- Is the register right? Tu to a friend, Lei to an office, a teacher or a landlord you do not know, and the same choice from the first line to the last.
- Is the length right? Too short often means a point is missing. Too long means more chances to make mistakes, and some exams take points off.
- Grammar and vocabulary, judged for the level: at A2 nobody expects the subjunctive.
A worked example (A2)
The task
Sei a casa con la febbre e oggi non puoi andare al lavoro. Scrivi un'email alla tua responsabile, Laura (35–50 parole):
- spiega perché non vai al lavoro;
- di' quando pensi di tornare;
- chiedi a Laura di fare una cosa per te.
A weak answer
Ciao Laura, io sono malato. Oggi non vengo a lavoro. Mi dispiace molto, molto. Io sono a casa e io ho febbre alta e mal di testa e anche mal di gola. Ciao.
It is understandable, but it would score low. Two of the three points are missing: there is no day of return and no request. The space goes on a list of symptoms nobody asked for. There are also typical slips: a lavoro instead of al lavoro, ho febbre instead of ho la febbre, and io repeated where Italian leaves it out.
A good answer (47 words)
Ciao Laura,
purtroppo stanotte mi è venuta la febbre e oggi non posso venire al lavoro. Il medico dice che devo stare a casa due giorni, quindi penso di tornare giovedì. Puoi chiedere a Marco di chiudere il magazzino stasera? Scusa per il disturbo.
A presto,
Olena
Each point has its own sentence, in the same order as the instructions. There is a greeting and a closing, the tone fits a colleague, and there is one connector (quindi) that shows the sentences are linked. Nothing complicated, nothing missing.
Phrases you can use
| Informal (tu) | Formal (Lei) | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Ciao Marta, / Cara Marta, | Gentile signora Bianchi, / Gentile dottore, |
| Why you write | Ti scrivo perché... | Le scrivo per chiedere / per informarLa che... |
| Asking | Puoi...? / Mi fai sapere se...? | Potrebbe...? / Vorrei sapere se... |
| Proposing | Che ne dici di sabato? | Per me andrebbe bene martedì mattina. |
| Apologising | Scusa, ma... | Mi scusi, purtroppo... |
| Closing | A presto! / Un abbraccio, | La ringrazio. Cordiali saluti, |
The longer B1 text
For 80 to 120 words, a simple plan works almost every time:
- One opening sentence that answers the question directly.
- What happened or what you think, with one or two concrete details (when, where, who).
- Why, or what you learned, with a reason or an example.
- One closing sentence.
Use connectors to make the order visible: prima, poi, alla fine; perché, siccome, quindi; però, invece; secondo me, per esempio. Use more than one tense where it is natural: the passato prossimo for what happened, the imperfetto for the background (c'era molta gente, ero stanco), and a conditional for a wish or an advice (vorrei, sarebbe utile). That is exactly what B1 looks like.
The most common mistakes
- Sono 30 anni → Ho 30 anni.
- Wrong auxiliary in the past: ho andato → sono andato/andata; and the ending agrees with you if you are a woman: sono andata, sono arrivata.
- Places: a Roma, in Italia, al lavoro, in ufficio, dal medico, a casa.
- Times: alle dieci, dalle nove alle tredici, il lunedì (every Monday) but lunedì (this Monday).
- Mi piace i film → mi piacciono i film.
- Starting with Gentile signora and ending with Ciao, un bacio: choose tu or Lei and keep it.
The last three minutes
Keep three minutes at the end to check, in this order: every point of the instructions is there; the number of words is inside the range; the verbs in the past have the right auxiliary; tu or Lei is the same everywhere; there is a greeting and a closing. This short check is worth more than any new word you could add.
Want to see how the other parts work? Read our guide on listening and reading.
Practise in the exam format
Pino has 100 A2 and B1 practice tests with listening, reading, writing and speaking, a timer and a score for each section. The first test of each level is free.
Official sources
This guide is general information written by the team behind Pino, an independent practice app. It is not legal advice, Pino is not affiliated with any government body or exam centre, and rules can change: check the official sources and your Prefettura before you act.